In September of last year, Advent Solar went to the capital markets to raise the funds required to acquire solar cell and module manufacturing equipment. However, the current credit crisis has made raising the money impossible right now, especially for business plans with capital-intensive strategies. The recognized value of Advent Solar’s technology enables it to pursue alternate market deployment paths. The company will begin licensing its Ventura technology.

Surveying the solar and green technology layoffs, “Cleantech’s Solar Conundrum” posted by Neal Dikeman at the Cleantech Blog dares to suggest that solar companies may not be getting funded for reasons other than the financial crisis. I observe traditional silicon solar cell start-ups may face an even higher funding hurdle than thin film technologies. It’s all about scale.

I was photovoltaic encouraged by two lines in President Barack Obama’s inaugural speech today:

Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.

7 comments

Well, because they did not have a technology and went building fabs
that cut their survival line. Perhaps NM State leadership should investigate this debacle.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 14:19

whomesays:

Well…they just furloughed everyone for 2 weeks (Emcore furloughed the terrestrial cpv for 3)….I doubt that Advent comes back or comes back for long…they are an example of really bad management and execution…

manufacturing is dead in albuquerque. You could apply at schott ,if you want to be treated like (expletive deleted).

Friday, July 17, 2009 at 17:23

Anonymoussays:

AMAT buys Advent

Friday, August 14, 2009 at 9:48

Solar Gurusays:

It is very unfortunate that Advent Solar is in this situation. Advent’s products are far superior to anything conventional cells can provide and is leading the infant solar industry to the next level in technology. Industry has been talking for years about back contact solar cells and monolithic module assembly as being the future of terrestrial crystalline based PV. Advent Solar made it happen while the industry was still dreaming about it.

Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 15:48

Anonymoussays:

If Advent Solar was in the midst of lay-offs, why was a purchase for a corporate officers home made in Scottdale, AZ? Becareful where you leave purchase price, list price and pay off price information when buying a home with corporate money.